Khaldoon Al Mubarak: Manchester City ready to spend to replace 'legend' Sergio Aguero

Chairman hails 'remarkable' season and says 'this is the time to send a strong message'

Manchester City's Fernandinho lifts the Premier League trophy at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday. Reuters

Manchester City players lift the Premier League Trophy at the Etihad Stadium. PA

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola celebrates with the Premier League medal at the Etihad Stadium. PA

Manchester City players lifts the Premier League trophy at Etihad Stadium. Getty

Manchester City's striker Sergio Aguero, centre, celebrates scoring the team's fourth goal against Everton in what was his last league match at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday, May 23, 2021. AFP

Kevin de Bruyne of Manchester City celebrates scoring his team's opening goal against Everton. EPA

Sergio Aguero of Manchester City celebrates with teammate Kevin De Bruyne after scoring against Everton at Etihad Stadium . Getty

Manchester City's striker Sergio Aguero scores their fifth at the Etihad Stadium. AFP

Manchester City fans wave flags during the match against Everton at the Etihad Stadium. PA

Sergio Aguero prepares to come on as a substitute during his last game as a Manchester City player. Reuters

Manchester City's Gabriel Jesus celebrates scoring the second goal. PA

Manchester City fans show their support by holding up a Premier League champions banner at the Etihad Stadium. Getty

Manchester City's midfielder Phil Foden celebrates scoring their third goal. AFP

Everton's Jordan Pickford had a forgettable day on Sunday. Reuters

Manchester City fans had a day to remember at the Etihad Stadium. EPA

Manchester City will spend in the transfer window to find a "quality" replacement for striker Sergio Aguero and to improve the squad, chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak has revealed.

Argentina international Aguero, City's all-time topscorer with 260 goals, played his last game in the Champions League final defeat to Chelsea and has joined Barcelona on a two-year deal after a decade-long spell at Etihad Stadium.

"We lose a very important legend in Sergio Aguero," Al Mubarak told mancity.com. "They are very hard shoes to fill, but I'm confident that we will find the right player to fill those shoes.

"There are other areas within the group, within the team that obviously need investment. Not too many. It's not about numbers, it's about quality.

“I think the squad is a phenomenal squad. You don't win the Premier League and you don't reach the Champions League final if you don't have an incredible squad, and we have that.

"One of the things I've learned over the years is you need to constantly bring in talent into the team, refresh and particularly when you are at a high level and when you're on the top."

City won their third league title in four years this season, finishing 12 points ahead of rivals Manchester United.

Al Mubarak said City, who also won the League Cup, will not stand still despite their domestic success.

"Having won the league, it is not the time to sit back and be content. That would be your biggest mistake," he said.

"This is the time to send a strong message, that there's no contentment, that you're not satisfied with just winning the league.

“That's great, but you want to win it again and you are committed and you are bringing more talent that is going to compete, not for the squad, but for the starting XI."

On the disappointment in Porto, he added: "I feel very proud of what this team has accomplished.

"When you reach a Champions League final – the pinnacle in football, the pinnacle of sports – I think it is an incredible achievement, a remarkable season by any description.

"But it is also a culmination of years of hard work to reach a level of consistency, a level of expectation that this club has reached now – which is a club that will compete year in, year out.

"You can't win every year but year in, year out we are going to be there. It is about going forward and, whenever we have setbacks, regrouping and coming back stronger.

"As sad as we all are at losing the Champions League final, we will be back in that final and more importantly [with] these titles we will always be there, that I promise."

Man City 2020/21 season ratings

Al Mubarak also discussed the positive relationship he enjoys with manager Pep Guardiola, who has now won eight trophies in the five years since his arrival and signed a new two-year contract in November.

“This partnership has been a great partnership,” he said. “He’s in the right environment, he's got the right infrastructure around him. We have the greatest trust and the greatest relationship, and we've achieved so much.

“So, I think the journey goes on and it will go on as long as Pep is happy and we are happy.

“To the Man City fans, I tell you, just be positive, be confident, enjoy these moments, look forward to the next season and we'll take it one season at a time.”